Nick Smith, November 3, 2002

Even as we grapple with the United Nations to establish a tough and credible inspections program in Iraq, news has come out of North Korea that it has an aggressive nuclear weapons program of its own. In mid-October, the North Korean regime under dictator Kim Jong Il admitted that it had the program in violation of a 1994 agreement between the U.S. and North Korea. This came on the heels of another admission that North Korea had kidnapped at least five Japanese citizens two decades ago, forcing them to train North Korean intelligence officers in the Japanese language. These disclosures both reveal the naivety of previous American and international agreements with North Korea and require the development of new policy.

Since 1994, we have tried to appease North Korea. Alarmed by the Pyongyang's growing nuclear weapons and missile programs and decision to withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in 1993, President Clinton reached an agreement, brokered by former President Jimmy Carter, whereby North Korea would drop its weapons development in exchange for about $4 billion of aid including shipments of fuel oil and the construction of two light-water nuclear reactors for power generation. (Light-water reactors are less suitable for the refinement of weapons-grade nuclear material than other types of reactors.) In addition, Japan had promised $10 billion for war reparations and South Korea another $1.3 billion to encourage good will as part of its "sunshine policy."

North Korea never kept its promises. The weapons inspectors that were part of the deal weren't allowed in and never inspected. This had raised concerns and prompted President Bush's addition of North Korea to the "axis of evil" (along with its atrocious mistreatment of its own citizens). American intelligence recently found hard evidence of the continuance of the weapons program, which led to the admission. Far from sheepish about their brazen violations, the North Koreans are suggesting that they might comply if we agree to extend even larger bribes. In truth, there is very little evidence that this regime will ever deal honestly with the U.S. or its neighbors in Asia.

We must obviously change our approach to the problem. Up to now, the North Koreans have been paid when they make threats. This just encourages more threats and has to stop. First, we should cut off all the aid that hasn't already been delivered. This means canceling the annual delivery of the 500,000 tons of heavy oil called for under the agreement and discontinuing the construction of the partially completed reactors. Then we need to consider other sanctions in conjunction with South Korea and Japan unless the North Koreans return to compliance.

The Bush Administration has taken the position that it will engage in no more discussions with North Korea until that country completely dismantles its nuclear weapons program in a verifiable fashion. Japan just concluded two days of scheduled talks on the resumption of diplomatic relations with North Korea by putting off further discussions under the weapons program is abandoned. While we should take part in the containment of the North Korean threat, we have to make sure that Japan and South Korea shoulder an appropriate share of the burden.

Congressman Nick Smith represents Michigan's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.